We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
First, I want to ensure that I’ve moved to the new piece of land where I’ve already made a deposit. It’s a big step for me because this land is something I’ve been saving for. My plan is to build a house there and relocate, finally having a place of my own that I can really call home. Luckily, I’ll be using the last of the GiveDirectly transfers I’m receiving to help sort out the costs of building. It’s a blessing to have that support, and I know it will make a big difference. On top of that, I’ve already planted an acre of beans. It’s hard work, but I’m hopeful. If all goes well and I get a good harvest, I plan to sell the beans and use the money to buy goats. I’ve thought about this a lot, and I know goats are easy to maintain. Plus, they’re a solid investment. Over time, I can sell some of them to cover important expenses, especially school fees for my children. That’s really my long-term focus—making sure I have enough resources for my kids’ education. It’s a lot to take on, but I’m feeling positive about it all.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
When GiveDirectly came to our village, they explained everything so clearly. They told us where the money came from and how they were here to help us without any conditions. I remember thinking how different it felt from other aid programs I’d heard about. They didn’t push us or make us feel like we had to join, and that gave me so much peace of mind. They made it very clear that we had the freedom to spend the money however we thought best, and that trust made me feel empowered. Honestly, I wouldn't change a thing about the program. The way they approached us with no strings attached, giving us the responsibility to make our own choices, was perfect. Being able to use the money on what my family and I needed most made a real impact. It wasn’t just about receiving help; it was about being treated with dignity and respect.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I used $380 of it to buy a plot that costs $610 for half an acre. This was an important step for me because the land I had before was destroyed during the floods, and I didn't want to stay there, given the future risks. The 1.5 acres I already have will be left for farming, which is a good way to ensure my family’s food supply and some income. With some of the remaining money, I paid $20 to cover my daughter’s school fees for Grade 2. She had some arrears, and I wanted to make sure she could stay in school without any interruptions. Education is really important to me, and I am trying my best to ensure all my children stay in school. The rest of the money, $40, was used to buy clothes for my children and my wife because many of their clothes were damaged during the floods. I used the remainder of the money to buy household food items to make sure we had enough to eat. This cash transfer has really helped us rebuild after the flood and start planning for a more stable future.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
20000 KES ($154 USD)
access_time 4 months ago
attach_money
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
On the morning of that day, I had left my phone charging at my neighbour's house, where they have solar power. I had headed to my farm to irrigate my 1.25 acres of maize. When I returned in the evening, exhausted, I went straight to retrieve my phone. As soon as I turned it on, I saw that I had an incoming message. I immediately checked it and was overjoyed to see a message indicating a receipt of a GD transfer. I was thrilled and immediately thought of buying a solar system to relieve me from the embarrassment of routinely visiting my neighbour to assist in charging my phone and enable me to charge my phone comfortably at home.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since receiving the transfer, the biggest change has been the improvement in our living conditions. With the transfer, I was able to purchase a solar system that includes five light bulbs and a charging system. As a result, every room in our house is now well-lit, and we even have a security light outside, which we didn't have before. This has significantly enhanced our family's safety, as the ample lighting allows us to move around without worrying about tripping or getting hurt by unseen objects, as we did before. Furthermore, I no longer have to depend on my neighbor to charge my phone. Previously, I had to wait for his family to finish charging their phones, which was inconvenient and time-consuming. Now, with the solar system, I can charge my phone at home whenever I need to, ensuring that I am always connected, and that my phone is always operational.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I had been longing to own a solar home light system for my house. We have been living in darkness because we depended on a small torch for lighting, which was very inefficient. Our phone would sometimes remain off due to a lack of power, as we usually relied on my neighbour for charging. This was not reliable because almost all my neighbours were also dependent on it, resulting in long queues for charging. Upon receiving the transfer, I deposited $35 as an initial payment to purchase a solar home system worth $400. I will be paying the remaining amount in installments. The system has five lighting bulbs, and I have installed the bulbs in all my rooms, with one outside as a security light. I am also relieved that I can now charge my phone comfortably at home. Additionally, I used $30 to buy new clothes for my child and my spouse to add to the few they had. I spent $25 on house curtains to make our house more beautiful. I also used $20 to buy plastic chairs to replace the ones we had, as they were in bad condition and were destroyed by the floods. Furthermore, I used $40 to replace a goat that I had sold previously to cater to family needs during the flood menace. I spent the remaining amount to buy food for my family.
Enrolled
access_time 5 months ago
What do you plan to do with the cash transfer?
When the flash floods hit my village one month ago, my family, like many others, was severely affected. My kitchen was completely washed away, my children's clothes were soaked in mud, the maize and beans grains rotted due to dampness, and my maize farm was destroyed. The extent of this loss is hard to recount without feeling overwhelmed by depression. As a family of seven, our livelihood depends on farming, and the maize farm that was washed away was our only source of hope. I am elated by GiveDirectly's assistance, which brings a ray of hope to uplift our lives here. When I receive the transfers, I plan to spend $80 on food, $50 on clothing, and $70 on school fees. To avoid the threat of future floods, I plan to spend the remaining amount on purchasing a plot of land on safer ground and relocating my family. This will ensure the safety of my loved ones and provide peace of mind, free from the worry of future disasters.
What is the happiest part of your day?
Being the breadwinner for a family of seven who solely depend on farming for a living, I have to struggle hard to make ends meet. With the harsh and unpredictable climate conditions here, farming is a gamble. Despite these challenges, I am glad to have sown 2 bags of green grams and 2 bags of beans on my 1-acre piece of land near the banks of the Perkerra River, even amidst the heavy rains this season. Although the harvest was not as satisfactory as I had hoped, I am excited that it allowed me to pay for my children's school fees and provide food for the household. This small success brings me a sense of relief and hope, knowing that our efforts, despite the odds, have managed to support our family's needs.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
As a family of seven, we often depend on farming for a living. In this area of Longewan, farming relies entirely on irrigation, which is expensive to maintain. For instance, I cultivate 2 acres of land, and per season of three months, I spend up to $300 on it. To raise this amount, I sell my goats, which are unfortunately decreasing in number each season. Maintaining this farm requires a significant amount of finances that I sadly do not have. At times, I am forced to spend most of my time on the farm or even take my family there because I cannot afford to hire labor. The constant financial strain and the need to rely on dwindling livestock to support our farming efforts make it incredibly challenging to sustain our livelihood.
